Early Career Research Group

The Sydney Medical School (SMS) identifies Early Career Researchers (ECRs) as those awarded their PhD within the past 10 year period (corrected for absences due to illness, misadventure or family responsibilities).

For many researchers the ECR stage is a time to find a research ‘niche’, gradually establish research independence, build your research profile and make contacts and collaborations that will support you throughout your career.

The Sydney Medical School (SMS) and The Westmead Research Hub are keen to support ECRs through this stage and together they provide a range of opportunities for you. Much of this information is also applicable to research staff at other career stages and to research students, as well as ECRs.

ECR Grant/Fellowship Workshop

This annual workshop offers invaluable tips on how to prepare a NHMRC ECR Grant or Fellowship application. It is usually held around November each year to prepare for the upcoming NHMRC round. Dates will be advertised via the Westmead ECR email list.

ECR Talk and Cheese seminar series

These career development seminars specifically designed for ECRs take place five times a year. This is a great opportunity to get to know other ECRs from the Westmead hub. Times/topics are advertised via the KRI Research Interest Group and Westmead ECR email lists.

ECR Yammer

Join the Sydney Medical School ECR Yammer network to get to know other ECRs, discuss career-related topics and receive information. Contact Jodie Ingles.

Academic Profile

If you have an academic profile page make sure that is up to date and you indicate that you are an ECR in your profile. This will then identify you as ECR in the SMS and you will be notified of relevant seminars (including grant/fellowship workshops and mentoring schemes) and funding opportunities.

Generally academic profiles are created for staff at Level B and above. In some cases profile pages may be created for staff at Level A where they are able to demonstrate an ongoing relationship with the University of Sydney (>1 year) and show evidence of your potential for Career Development (including publications where you affiliate with the SMS, participation in the SMS ECR schemes etc).

This is a great opportunity to learn about other research at Westmead, support the senior PhD students (not so long ago that was you!), ask questions, provide helpful feedback and build a strong academic environment at Westmead.

Regular attendance is viewed very favourably for University of Sydney affiliations.

Research Theme

Identify with one of the Research Themes of the Sydney Medical School. Research in the Sydney Medical School spans basic research to clinical and public health research and is divided into five overarching research themes. You can identify with one or more of the themes and be informed of relevant seminars, events and funding opportunities.